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Stepping out of the front of box
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Guest Nic
Behind the plate in a high school junior varsity tournament game.
Top of the first and the Warriors coaches start in with, "his front foot is out of the box when he swings." Background: the area around the plate is turf and it's old and needs replaced. Painted white likes exist but are worn and faded. Its their home field. Its tough to accurately tell if it's on the line or JUST over.
"Okay coach, I'm tracking the ball and it's tough to see the front of the box and his toe at my angle, but I'll keep an eye on it." It was less than a half inch of it was at all. But again, hard to see to be completely accurate. Tough time to make
"Well they are out of the box when they swing, its always So and So school doing it," he continues."
"Well I'll keep an eye on it and do my best to ensure the rules are adhered to, coach, thanks."
I warn the other team's coach, the "Tigers". I tell the "Warriors" coach I've warned them to hopefully correct the problem.
He responded but I never heard his response. I moved outside over the catcher's shoulder to hopefully gain a better angle.
It was distracting to continually track the ball and check the tedious detail everytime they swung the bat in a game where the offenders scored 20 runs (thanks in large part to 10 errors on the accusing team).
But I Never heard another word -- for five innings. Top of 6, they start up again.
Experienced guys, how do you handle this and how do you track and check? Just do it? Is there a technique? I use the Jerry Davis and fix my head at the top of the zone. Track with eyes.
Thanks in advance.
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BT_Blue
I can't remember if it was on here or elsewhere (read that as Facebook) this same question came up... sans the story with it. The plate umpire, a very seasoned umpire, calls a pitch and hears it
Richvee
Stay in the slot!!!. Don't concern yourself over whining coaches. Defensive coach chirps about batter out of the front of box, my reply is "Coach, do you want me to track the ball or watch his feet?"
JonnyCat
Agree with Richvee. If you're tracking the ball properly and watching the hit off the bat, you're never going to see where the batter's foot lands. Nor should you. Like Rich said, that rule is there f
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